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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board agrees to tax incentive for housing development; approves 2025-26 budget
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved a tax incentive for a project to develop vacant land at the northwest corner of East Ninth and Delaware streets into apartments. The board also approved the district’s 2025-26 budget.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board agrees to tax incentive for housing development; approves 2025-26 budget
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved a tax incentive for a project to develop vacant land at the northwest corner of East Ninth and Delaware streets into apartments. The board also approved the district’s 2025-26 budget.
MORE USD 497 BUDGET COVERAGE
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s boundary committee weighs impact of closing Hillcrest Elementary
The Lawrence school district’s Boundary Advisory Committee on Wednesday discussed the possible closure of Hillcrest Elementary and its English as a Second Language program, as well as possible implications of the school board’s looming decision on budget cuts.
Lawrence school board members ask for clarity on proposed budget cuts, process used to reach them
As the Lawrence school board prepares to soon approve final budget cuts for next year, board members asked district administrators for more concrete details about plans for school closures and more.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
As Lawrence school closure talks loom, report identifies lowest-scoring district buildings
The Lawrence school district’s budget committee’s recommendation for the 2023-24 year remained unspecified at the end of the group’s final meeting Wednesday, but the committee did learn how elementary and middle schools scored on an assessment of district facilities.
Lawrence school board approves switching from MacBooks to iPads for high school students
Despite commentary from students and faculty that switching high school students from MacBooks to iPads would cause concerns about equity, efficiency and students’ ability to succeed, the Lawrence school board on Monday voted to approve the switch.
Lawrence school board to consider switching from laptops to iPads for high school students
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider a high school technology switch to iPad tablets instead of MacBook laptops.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Community invited to public input sessions with Lawrence school district’s budget planning committee
Lawrence community members are invited to participate in two public input sessions this week to discuss a tentative school district budget proposal that includes four-day school weeks and closures of three schools.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee favors 4-day weeks, closing 3 buildings
The Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee on Wednesday in a preliminary vote advanced a budget scenario suggesting a four-day school week, closing two elementary schools and a middle school, and cutting a district administration position.
Projected enrollment decline causes financial concerns for Lawrence school district
Lawrence schools are expected to steadily decrease in enrollment over the next five years, causing district budget concerns as well as questions about the future of the Lawrence community as a whole.
Lawrence school board to hear enrollment projections from consulting firm, update on Futures Planning Committee
The consulting firm hired by the Lawrence school district will report its progress to the school board on Monday, including projections of declining enrollment and a possible budget scenario that would close three schools next year.
Lawrence school district piloting iPads at high schools as possible replacement for MacBooks
Some Lawrence high schoolers are using iPads this fall as part of a pilot program. The devices are under consideration for a broader rollout, to replace laptops as a cost-cutting measure.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district’s planning committee concerned about ‘skewed’ survey results
Members of the Lawrence school district’s committee for budget and facility planning expressed discontent with a district survey aimed at gaining the community’s feedback on budget cuts.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
‘At-risk’ student count is up, virtual school enrollment is down; numbers will help guide Lawrence school district’s budget
The Lawrence school board on Monday will hear an update on the district’s enrollment counts as part of planning for next year’s budget. The number of ”at-risk” students increased more than 50%, but other factors may offset some of that funding.
